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Vitamin C Supplements Can Lower Blood Sugar Levels

A new study out of Victoria, Australia has concluded that taking vitamin C supplements twice a day can lower blood sugar levels and reduce blood pressure.

The study

Researchers from Deakin University split a group of 36 participants into two groups—one receiving no supplements, and the other receiving 500mg of vitamin C twice a day.

The group receiving supplements experienced:

An average 36 percent drop in blood sugar levels

At least three fewer hours of hypoglycemia per day

Fewer post-meal blood sugar spikes

Lead researcher Glenn Wadley said, “Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties can help counteract the high levels of free radicals found in people with diabetes, and it’s encouraging to see [that] this benefits a number of the disease’s common comorbidities, such as high blood pressure. For people living with type 2 diabetes, vitamin C could be a potentially cheap, convenient and effective additional therapy, used in addition to their usual anti-diabetic treatments.

Importance of vitamin C

Vitamin C cannot be produced in the human body, but it still plays an important role and provides several health benefits. This vitamin is important because it opens the blood vessels and allows blood to move more easily throughout the body.

Most people will get enough vitamin C from their diets, but others (like non-meat eaters) may need to take vitamin C supplements in order to meet recommended intake.

Vitamin C can:

Reduce chances of developing chronic diseases

Lower blood pressure

Lower risk of heart disease

Improve iron absorption

Boost immune system

Protect memory

Although the scientific evidence is still developing for these claims, vitamin C may also be able to prevent common colds, reduce cancer risk, and protect against eye disease.

You should not use vitamin C as your only method of diabetes management. Talk to your doctor before you begin any supplement regimen.

Kayla Pearce

Kayla Pearce is a Content Developer at Diabetic Nation in Memphis, TN. She has backgrounds in professional and creative writing and over a decade of experience in research and editing. She is deeply interested in literature, poetry, cats, and dessert.